Council Minutes

The Town Council of the Town of Steele, Alabama, met in Regular Session at 6:30 pm on Monday, September 21, 2020 at Steele Community Center. Upon roll call the following members were present.

Present: Roger Adams, Mayor
Richard Reynolds, Councilmember Philip Gleason Jr., Councilmember Rick Barnes, Councilmember Nancy Miller-Borg, Councilmember Michael Stevens, Councilmember

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Roger Adams who asked Councilmember Stevens to lead everyone in a word of prayer.

The minutes from the September 8, 2020 meeting were approved by a motion from Councilmember Barnes, seconded by Councilmember Stevens, and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

The July, 2020 Financials were reviewed and a motion was made by Councilmember Reynolds to approve them, seconded by Councilmember Gleason, Jr. and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Wayne Smith of Truitt Insurance was in attendance to explain the Insurance Policy for Fiscal Year 2020 – 2021. He stated that the total insurance premium this year is $46,501 which is up approximately $6,000 from last year, but includes 2 new vehicles. He suggested that the Town raise the employee dishonesty rider from $10,000 to $100,000, which would cost an additional
$353 per year and would have a $500 deductible. Mr. Smith told the Council that if this is approved, he would need to know before October 1, 2020. Councilmember Miller-Borg made a motion to approve the increase, stating that she thinks it is good fiscal responsibility to increase coverage from $10,000 to $100,000. Seconded by Councilmember Reynolds and approved by the Council.
Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Mayor Adams asked the Council if they would like to make a motion to approve the $47,000 (approximately) cost to renew the Town’s insurance with Trident Insurance for another year. Motion was made by Councilmember Miller-Borg to approve the new policy for fiscal year 2020
-2021, seconded by Councilmember Reynolds and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Martha Stewart, Water Board Chairperson was next on the agenda. She stated that on September

Bids for surplus property were received and opened as follows:

2008 Ford Crown Victoria-highest bid was $1,011.00 to Rachel Renfro. A motion was made by Councilmember Barnes to accept the bid of $1,011.00, seconded by Councilmember Miller-Borg and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

1984 Chevrolet Dump Truck-highest bid was $1,250.00 from Huey Woodard. A motion was made by Councilmember Gleason Jr to accept the bid of $1,250 for the dump truck, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Diesel generator – highest bid was $302 from Shannon Frost. A motion was made by Councilmember Stevens to accept the bid of $302 for the diesel generator, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

2014 Chevrolet Tahoe- highest bid was $2,500. Mayor Adams asked Chief Ward how he felt about this bid and Chief Ward stated that he felt it was lower than what they could get for the Tahoe. A motion was made by Councilmember Miller-Borg to reject all bids on the 2014 Tahoe, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Mayor Adams asked the Council to review the gate quote for Town property off of Brogden Road. He stated that there has been some activity going on there and a gate needs to be installed to keep people off of the property. Councilmember Gleason Jr., stated that Dylan Swindall of 3D Welding would be the right person to build the gate and feels that his quote is a fair price for materials and labor. A motion was made by Councilmember Reynolds to approve the gate quote by 3D Welding, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Mayor Adams asked the Council to consider a parking ordinance for McHugh Street. He stated that a school employee parks their vehicle at the end of the school building and by doing so, prevents any emergency vehicles from gaining access to McHugh Street. Councilmember Stevens asked if a No Parking Sign would be effective. Councilmember Barnes asked if Ms.
Peoples (school principal) was aware of the situation. He stated that he will reach out to her regarding this matter and report back to the Council at the next meeting.

Chief Ward thought it would be advantageous for the Town of Steele to have a drug dog on our Police Force. Office Whitt Burttram has volunteered to be the dog handler for the Police Force. Chief Ward stated that I Canine has 3 drug dogs available for Officer Burttram to select from, but that they thought that a particular German Sheperd would be a good fit. He stated that they would have to purchase a cage for Officer Burttram’s Tahoe, which would cost approximately
$2,250.00. Chief Ward also stated that David Lattimer, the trainer would charge approximately
$1,000 to train Officer Burttram to work with dog. The dog would be used in drug busts, as well as presentations at school to educate children about drugs. Councilmember Gleason Jr., DVM has agreed to take care of all of the dog’s vet needs. Mayor Adams mentioned that the cost of the cage and training could be paid for with funds received from a recent drug seizure, although this may take some time. Councilmember Miller-Borg made a motion to approve $3,260 to purchase a cage for Officer Burttram’s Tahoe, and training, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Councilmember Reynolds stated that he had emailed everyone a copy of the 2020-2021 budget. He stated that the proposed budget is $1,250,000. Mayor Adams asked if there were any questions regarding the budget and stated that this is the largest budget the town has ever had. Councilmember Reynolds made a motion to approve the 2020-2021 budget, seconded by Councilmember Barnes and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Councilmember Stevens stated that the dumpster will be in place on Thursday, September 24, 2020.

Councilmember Barnes made a motion that the Town adopt a policy stating that the Magistrate Court Clerk and the Town Clerk only notarize items within the scope of their job responsibilities, seconded by Councilmember Stevens and approved by the Council.

Ayes: Gleason Jr., Miller-Borg, Barnes, Stevens and Reynolds Nays: none

Councilmember Miller-Borg stated that the Santa has been contacted for the children’s Christmas party on December 17, 2020. She gave the Council an update on National Night Out, stating that Love’s Travel Stop is donating hotdogs, buns, and chips, Tammy Deweese is donating condiments, and that there is a plan in place to bag everything up and hand out all the items in a bag. There will also be a drink table where the participants can select a drink. Thanks to Chief Martin the pink fire truck will be available and also a helicopter.

With there being no further business to come before this Regular Council Meeting of September 21, 2020, Councilmember Barnes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilmember Stevens, and adjourned at 7:45 P.M.